Sami Niku v. Travis Dermott

[Dr Quincy]

Who would you want on your team?

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[ViewsFromThe6ix]

what exactly would be the argument for Niku? He's a drag on possession quite dramatically both in terms of quality and quantity (one of the worst defensive players in the league in his NHL sample). Dermott is a very good play driver.

 

[Big Empty]

Niku has generational flow. He should be winning this AINEC.

 

[McDavidCrushedLarkin]

Niku without any question.

 

[ViewsFromThe6ix]

Niku without any question.

Niku is probably the worse defensive player in the league. I don't understand how anyone could come to this conclusion. This is Dermott, and it's really not even close. Niku isn't even an NHL D at this point.

 

[Tasteless Beaver]

Niku was messed up by a car accident the day before training camp, then injured his groin and has been in the doghouse for a long time. The ingredients are all there, he'll get his shot.

 

[ViewsFromThe6ix]

Niku was messed up by a car accident the day before training camp and has been in the doghouse for a long time. The ingredients are all there, he'll get his shot.

Even prior to this season he's put up horrid defensive results.

 

[jetsforever]

Niku's never really been given much real playing time as he's still developing. Dermott is a more solid guy right now but Niku probably has a higher ceiling.

 

[The Podium]

Niku's never really been given much real playing time as he's still developing. Dermott is a more solid guy right now but Niku probably has a higher ceiling.

Not questioning Nikus development, but Dermott is also still developing...

 

[LuckyBoeser]

Niku becoming what Dermott is currently would be considered a success for Niku. It's Dermott ainec as of right now.

 

[ViewsFromThe6ix]

Niku's never really been given much real playing time as he's still developing. Dermott is a more solid guy right now but Niku probably has a higher ceiling.

I don't think people understand how bad Niku's results have been over three seasons. He's been one of the worst D in the whole league over the past three seasons. He gets caved in every time he's on the ice.

 

[WetcoastOrca]

Neither guy has been great but I feel that at least Dermott is an everyday D who could still improve.
Last year he looked like he could become a top 4 guy but this year he looks to have taken a step back.

 

[ViewsFromThe6ix]

Neither guy has been great but I feel that at least Dermott is an everyday D who could still improve.
Last year he looked like he could become a top 4 guy but this year he looks to have taken a step back.

In what world has Dermott not been great. Even if you think he's a bottom pair D, he's crushed bottom pair D. Niku hasn't even been NHL calibre against bottom apir D.

 

[WetcoastOrca]

In what world has Dermott not been great. Even if you think he's a bottom pair D, he's crushed bottom pair D. Niku hasn't even been NHL calibre against bottom apir D.

That’s what I said. He’s the easy choice.
We just have a different definition of ‘great’ I guess. I don’t consider bottom pairing guys ‘great’. Definitely better than Niku though.

 

[All Mod Cons]

The non-Leafs guy AINEC

 

[rent free]

the ontario kid obviously

 

[jetsforever]

I don't think people understand how bad Niku's results have been over three seasons. He's been one of the worst D in the whole league over the past three seasons. He gets caved in every time he's on the ice.

Have you actually watched Jets games? I wouldn't read into any advanced stats for Niku due to a combination of small sample size and the fact he's basically just been a depth call-up so far without really being played hard. He's also a lot more creative than our normal scrubs so can potentially develop well. I don't watch the AHL much but apparently he won top defenceman a couple years ago so I'd like to see some proper NHL time to assess.

 

[ffh]

niku is not an nhl player. if dermott is then him.

 

[TomasHertlsRooster]

Come on Dr. Quincy, you’re better than this.

 

[ViewsFromThe6ix]

Have you actually watched Jets games? I wouldn't read into any advanced stats for Niku due to a combination of small sample size and the fact he's basically just been a depth call-up so far without really being played hard. He's also a lot more creative than our normal scrubs so can potentially develop well. I don't watch the AHL much but apparently he won top defenceman a couple years ago so I'd like to see some proper NHL time to assess.

We have a significant sample. That's why we should read in to it. So even if you admit he's been a depth call up, Dermott has been a significant member of the Leafs. How exactly is this close?

 

[TS Quint]

Dermott contributes on one of the worst defense groups in all of the NHL. The 6th worst. Good for him for playing I guess but it's a pretty low bar. He sucks the life out of the bottom 6 forward group and his main partner Holl would probably want to see anyone else beside him on the ice.

Of that 6th worst defense in the league he was 6th in TOI. To the end of December he was only getting just over 14 minutes/game when the D group was mostly healthy. After December when he got almost 20 minutes his corsi dropped to the 9th worst in that D group strange stat when Leafs fans keep saying he really stepped up and played well.

Some Leaf fans need to take off 20% on this guy. That's not to say he can't get better but currently he's a bottom pair guy on a bottom 6 group of defensemen.

 

[Isaac Nootin]

Why are we comparing two #6 / 7 dmen who have very little upside?

Everyone run! The poll police are here!

 

[Isaac Nootin]

Dermott contributes on one of the worst defense groups in all of the NHL. The 6th worst. Good for him for playing I guess but it's a pretty low bar. He sucks the life out of the bottom 6 forward group and his main partner Holl would probably want to see anyone else beside him on the ice.

Of that 6th worst defense in the league he was 6th in TOI. To the end of December he was only getting just over 14 minutes/game when the D group was mostly healthy. After December when he got almost 20 minutes his corsi dropped to the 9th worst in that D group strange stat when Leafs fans keep saying he really stepped up and played well.

Some Leaf fans need to take off 20% on this guy. That's not to say he can't get better but currently he's a bottom pair guy on a bottom 6 group of defensemen.

How did you come to the conclusion that the Leafs are the 6th worse Dcore in the NHL?

I know it's not just GA, is it?

 

[Conspiracy Theorist]

Niku can contribute more imo.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

I don't think either is great, but Dermott has at least proven that he's an NHL regular. Niku hasn't. Niku is probably more talented, but until he proves it, I'm going with Dermott. I don't think its unrealistic to expect Niku to be more proven now than he is.